What are your “GO TO” songs?

Monday, April 16, 2012

Here’s a question for YOU:

What are your “Go To” songs?

Know what I mean? Those songs that you love so much–either to sing ‘em or to play ‘em or both!

Those songs that when you pick up your instrument, you automatically sing ‘em because they make you feel good. Or maybe it’s because they sound really good. Or maybe they are a real workout for you and you use ‘em like a warm-up to get you loose and limber.

What are your “GO TO” songs?

For example: When I first tune up the ʻukulele, I often strum/sing the Israel Kamakawiwoʻole arrangement of KA PUA UʻI that he sings on his album, Facing Future. The song’s chord progression allows me to hear the ʻukulele in all of its glory–and I can quickly tell if I’m in tune!

When someone asks me to sing a Hawaiian song, I usually ask ‘em if they want a fast(er) song or slow(er) song.

If they choose fast(er), I’ll often strum/sing Aunty Edith Kanakaʻole’s KA ULUWEHI O KE KAI. It’s fun to listen to. It tells a story and it’s not toooo vocally demanding so that I can have fun singing it.

If they chose a slow(er) song, I’ll often strum/sing something like the hula classic, ALOHA KAUAʻI. I think the song allows for a lot of cool crooner-ismsand I love exploring it. Simple and challenging all at the same time.

And when I’m at a party and someone asks me to share a song in a song-circle, I usually call out Rev. Dennis Kamakahi’s WAHINE ʻILIKEA. It acts as an immediate touchstone for me. It takes me to the island of Molokai in my mind. Takes me to Hālawa Valley. It grounds me. And it instantly takes away any nervousness that I may be feeling.

What do YOU sing and/or strum when you’re asked to share a song? What songs do YOU sing in the shower or in the privacy of your car (with/without the windows rolled up!)

This entry was posted
on Monday, April 16th, 2012 at 4:30 PM
and is filed under AHC Home.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.